Nephew arrested over murder of uncle shot dead in car in Wythenshawe

Stuart Horner, 32, of Heyland Road, Baguley, Wythenshawe, was being quizzed by detectives last night after his uncle Ian Taylor was blasted in the chest. Mr Taylor, aged 44, died in hospital after being shot while he sat in the passenger seat of the red Citroen in Floatshall Road, Baguley.

Mr Taylor's four sisters paid tribute to their brother. They said: "Ian was a man born and brought up in Wythenshawe and was well-liked within the community. He was such a friendly character.

"He was a family man who in the past had had his problems, but he had worked hard to overcome them. We are completely devastated at losing Ian in such tragic circumstances and we would urge anyone who knows anything about who killed Ian to call the police."

A man was sat in the driver’s seat when the gunman opened fire. He escaped uninjured and is not being treated as a potential accomplice after being questioned by officers.

Chief Supt Rob Potts said: "This murder will have caused shock in this community and there will understandably be a great deal of concern among residents.

"I want to reassure members of the community that any sort of gun crime or shooting in Baguley is extremely rare and I do not want people to be unduly alarmed. At this stage, we do not believe there is any risk to residents and it is being treated as an isolated incident."

The M.E.N. understands Mr Taylor had been known to police for a string of minor drugs offences. Residents said Mr Taylor had also been involved in a long-running dispute, with police called on more than one occasion.

A friend of Mr Taylor said: "I know the family well. I’ve known them for years. It’s a real loss. Things were never right after the death of his mum about a year ago.

"He became involved in a feud with another man. The police were down here the other day. I feel bad I couldn’t do anything for him." A neighbour told how he would meet someone in a red car outside his house a few times a week.